If Romo wants to pad his bank account, Denver - or a mystery team with money to burn - may be his best option.

The Broncos, who failed to reach the playoffs last season after winning the Super Bowl in 2015, have $41 million in salary cap space, and general manager John Elway loves to sign free agents.

New coach Vance Joseph, a former secondary coach with the Texans, brought Mike McCoy back to the Broncos as his offensive coordinator. The last two starting quarterbacks McCoy has worked with are Peyton Manning in Denver and Philip Rivers in San Diego.

If Romo wants to stay closer to home so he can be closer to his wife and children, play for a team that boasted the No. 1 defense in the league and lost in the divisional round of the playoffs at New England, he'll have to accept a pay cut before he can move down I-45.

After re-signing punter Shane Lechler and kicker Nick Novak, the Texans have about $21.4 million in salary cap space, and that doesn't include hidden costs like money that will be designated for draft choices.

Romo's contract, whether it's with the Texans, Broncos or another team, will have to provide the team with protection in case he suffers another major injury. How much protection he's willing to give probably depends on where he signs.

The Texans have a budget for players. It's based on how much they have to spend and what they believe a player is worth.

They are hoping to re-sign cornerback A.J. Bouye and outside linebacker John Simon, among others. If they leave, they'll have to be replaced in the draft or free agency.

Because of Romo's recent injury history that has limited him to 125 passes over the last two seasons, he would have to agree to a contract with a small signing bonus and base salary and a lot of money based on his being on the roster every week.

In other words, Romo could make a lot of money if he stays healthy.

The Texans also could include bonus money based on their record and how far he takes them in the playoffs.

Romo, who was 2-4 in the playoffs with the Cowboys, was due to make $14 million this year. Maybe he can recoup that money as a free agent, but it's doubtful the Texans would pay him that much unless he stayed healthy enough to earn it.

Romo has started four games in the last two seasons because of injuries to his clavicle and back. He's suffered three broken clavicles and has undergone back surgery three times.

In those four starts, Romo has six touchdown passes and seven interceptions. At 37, a player's body doesn't just regenerate and avoid injuries.

When Manning signed with Denver, he got no signing bonus and had to pass a physical each March to get paid. Fortunately for Manning and the Broncos, he was able to pull it off.

Romo is no Manning, but Romo, if healthy, would be a significant upgrade for the Texans - at the right price.

Let's say the Texans do sign Romo. He would join Osweiler, Savage and Brandon Weeden. They would still need to draft a young quarterback to develop.

They would need the young quarterback to be ready to contribute in 2018 because Savage and Osweiler would be gone.

Obviously, if they add Romo and a draft choice, two would have to go this year - Osweiler and Weeden. That would leave them with Romo, Savage and the rookie.

Now, what if they don't sign Romo? They still need to draft a quarterback who would give them four on the roster. Someone would have to go: Osweiler or Weeden.

That may be confusing, but you should be used to it by now considering how many quarterbacks the Texans have employed over the last three years.

By the way, there was speculation at the combine in Indianapolis that the "do-right rule" Jerry Jones worked out with Romo might include the Texans. In other words, there are teams Jones doesn't want Romo to play for, and the Texans might be on the list.

I don't buy it. I don't believe Jones cares about what happens in Houston when it comes to the NFL. With or without Romo, the Texans wouldn't stand in the way of the Cowboys reaching a Super Bowl.